Los Angeles daily herald., 1887-06-18
pAILY HERALD.
POLICE INVESTIGATION.
unses skinner Exsnerated by tn
Cam m mlsshon.


usses skinner Exsnerated by the
Commission.
The Police Commission convened yes
tsrday afternoon In the Council Cham
hers to continue the investigation OF the
charges made through the columns OF
certain daily papers.
Thomas Boteilo was the first witness
.svorn. He testified that he knew OF no
corruption of police officers. he mao
read considerable in the papers. and ne
.knew that Major Bell had something
which he could not substantiate. he
had been with MIR. Clarke to see An
Toy. who wanted to make an appoint
.ment with the Chief. All Toy said he
did not know anything about bribery,
except what the papers said. He knew
.uothinc personally. The first time ne
met An Toy was at Chinamans place
on Los Angeles street, when Mr.. Clarke
vss along. He had met him several
times since, but the subject OF policemen
receiving bribes, except in q general
manner, was not mentioned. ne nao
never gone to see All Toy except the
one tine, and he defied any one TO
substautiate the statement that he had
zone to All Toys the second time by ap,.
pointment. All the other times he had
seen All Toy were accidental. Ques'
toned by Major Bell, Officer Botello
.nointed out an article in the Majors
.sheet which charged Officer Botello with
having laid down the law to the China
men and accusing them of divulging the
fact that bribery had been going on.
Witness denied that he had gone TO
Chinatown on the Friday morning after
the first examination. He had not been
over to see All Toy, nor had ne told
Col, Marshal that he had gone.
Major Bell said he had not written
the article but he knew who had, and
he thought he could substantiate the
story. He would bring witnesses to
prove 1t.
Mayor Workman stated that Fred
Smith wanted an investigation since the
Chief had taken away his star. Tues
day at two O'Clock was set as the time
for the investigation. Major Bell was
asked to furnish evidence In relation to
the faro games, etc.. and replied that
the gambling was running on all the
time. and if the police could not stop II
then there should be no force. The fact
that the games were allowed to run wal
proof that something was wrong. Only
enc policeman that he knew of hac
ever been caught accepting bribe in
the State, and he had gone to the State
Prison.
Msyor Workman said that he did moi
see any chance of getting any further
evidence in this matter, and Mr.. Breee
offered the following resolution, which
was adopted. Chief Skinner being ex-
cused from voting:
"Charpes of crookedness having beer
alleged in the Police Department, tn
Commissioners met to investigate tn
same. After hearing all the testipon!
in the case, the Commissioners fail T.
find sufficient evidence to substantial
such accusations of crookedness. Whil
we believe that the affairs of the Polio
Department are not as they should be
we are convinced that the Chief is al
honest and efficient officer, and is doin
all in his power to enforce the ordinances
If there has been any money paid to an,
of the police officers by either Chimes
or white gamblers there is no evidenc
before this Commission to show I
whom such money was paid"
Mayor Workman said he fully con
curred in the resolution, and he believe
If there was an honest man it wa
Chief Skinner. If policemen had take
bribes 1t would come to life some timt
The time would come when more woul
be found out about the matter.
Mr.. Breed said that he mentione
Chief SINNERS name because FREQ
Smith had stated that the Chief ha
prevented him from pulling some gaml
ling games, and he thought tho Chic
should have the right to set the time fc
pulling the games.
Chief Skinner said he believed ths
Fred. Smith had never taken bribe an
did not think he was dishonest in th
least.
Mayor Workman said that he though
Fred. Smith had worked hard to FIN
the truth in the matter.
Thomas Botello was granted leave {
absence for ten days.
Captain Tyler said that slur ha
been cast on the Police Force and he di
not know of man who was not anxior
to have the matter investigated tho
oughly. If there was way of gettin
at the matter it should be done at onc'
for it was demorslizing upon the force
have the slur continue. 1t was an eas
matter for newspaper to make chare
but il was not easy for it to prove th
charge. He wanted 1t shown that theI
was or was not bribery.
Mr.. Weed stated that he had nev'
made dollar while he was on the P'
lice Force that he was ashamed to ow
and he challenged any one to meet hi
face to face and say SO.
The Board then adjourned.